A Pakistani anti-corruption court has jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for seven years on corruption charges he says were politically motivated.
The court found on Monday the three-time prime minister was unable to prove the source of income for the ownership of a steel mill in Saudi Arabia, Geo News reported.
Sharif was sentenced in July to 10 years in prison by the same court, on charges related to the purchase of upscale apartments in London, after the Supreme Court removed him from power.
He was released from prison in September pending an appeal.
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder reported, said that Sharif’s party would take the verdict seriously.
“The court announced that he would be sentenced to seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia steel mills case, whereas he has been cleared of the other charge,” he said.
“This is indeed something which is going to be taken seriously by his political party. However, it should also be remembered that Nawaz Sharif was earlier arrested in the Avenfield properties case, he was sent to prison. He then lodged a review petition and was released on bail,” he said.